Image Quality
It’s now been almost three and a half years since the X-Pro 1 was launched, and when it did, the 16 Megapixel X-Trans sensor was remarkable for an APS-C sensor. It’s still a very good sensor, but without an update in well over 3 years, it’s also getting long in the tooth. There’s not a ton to talk about with regards to the X-T10’s image quality, at least not in-depth. It’s the same sensor used in the X-T1. The same sensor used in the X-E2, and aside from phase detect autofocus points, it’s the same sensor that was used in the original X-Pro1. As such, if you’ve used one Fuji X-Series camera, you’ve used them all with regards to image quality.
Due to the same sensor and overall image quality, some portions of this section have been borrowed from previous X-Series reviews.
Color and Dynamic Range
While the X-T10’s sensor is nothing new, it still definitely holds its own with regards to color response and dynamic range. Both are still excellent, even when comparing them to cameras with newer APS-C sensors. The 16 megapixel sensor in the Fuji X-T10 has a very wide dynamic range, allowing you to capture plenty of detail in the highlights and shadows even in high contrast situations. It’s rare that a situation arises that will truly exceed the dynamic range of the sensor.
Likewise, Fuji has always excelled at color, with accurate white balance and excellent color response. RAW files tend to be muted upon import, but take adjustment extremely well. JPEG files have among the best color of any JPEG engine in the business. As of this review, the only major RAW conversion program (for Windows, which is what I use) that works with the X-T10’s files is Adobe Lightroom and ACR. Phase One hasn’t added support to Capture One Pro 8, and there is something different about the RAW encoding with the X-T10 files, since Photo Ninja couldn’t open them either. Lightroom 6 does a good job with color on the Fuji files, however, with support for the film simulations built into the program, making it easier to match the color response from the JPEG files. Adobe has recently improved the color rendering of Fuji files, preventing some color artifacts at certain transition points.
Unfortunately, Adobe still is subject to interpreting the X-T10’s files with a watercolor look in certain situations. There is word that Adobe is working directly with Fuji to eliminate this artifact, which would be nice. When Photo Ninja gets support for the X-T10, it’s a great converter for X-Trans conversions, as the watercolor effect is essentially absent with that converter.
Noise and Detail
The X-T10 has very good noise control, with JPEG images showing very low noise up to ISO 3200 and even somewhat usable images up to ISO 25,600. The X-T10 includes support for ISO 51,200, but in my opinion: don’t bother. ISO 51,200 is frankly just a checkmark on the spec sheet, as it’s definitely a step too far.. Files at that ISO show visible banding and blotchy noise throughout. It’s also worth noting that Fuji still separates the expanded ISOs from the regular ISOs by making anything outside ISO 200-6400 JPEG only. I’m not sure why they simply can’t enable RAW support for these ISOs. Sure, you can achieve what the camera would be doing by underexposing at ISO 6400 and bringing the exposure up in your RAW converter, but I really shouldn’t have to make that adjustment just to keep shooting in RAW. They are the only maker that does that in 2015.
RAW files show a little more noise than the JPEGs but also much more detail. Noise remains quite low up to ISO 1600 and very usable at ISO 3200 and 6400. I rarely worry about the ISO I’m shooting with any of these cameras, as quality shots can be had at any of the native ISOs. It is worth noting that like all the X-Trans cameras, the X-T10 does overstate ISO by about 1/3 to 1/2 stop.
As far as detail is concerned, the camera is capable of resolving plenty of detail with good lenses, which thankfully are plentiful in the Fuji X series. The only times detail suffers if you are using a RAW converter like Lightroom in the rare situations that cause the watercolor effect to show up. Using a different converter (once they’ve updated) should solve the issue here. Overall, however, this is really where newer sensors are starting to make the X-Trans sensor look dated. All the current APS-C competition starts at 24 megapixels, including the newest Canon Digital Rebels. The Sony a6000, which has already been out for a year, is $200 cheaper and has a 24 megapixel sensor. Resolution certainly isn’t everything, and 16MP is plenty for most people’s use, but if Fuji wants to stay competitive, it really needs to up the game here before they’re left in the dust.
JPEG Quality
One area where holding the status quo is fine is in the JPEG rendition. Fuji still has some of the best JPEGs in the industry. X-T10 JPEG output is low in artifacts and has good detail and excellent dynamic range, especially when using more gentle highlight and shadow settings.
Fuji has unique ‘film simulations’ that seek to emulate some of their more popular films, such as Velvia, Provia, Astia and so on. I’ve become a very big fan of the Classic Chrome simulation, especially when shooting portraits or any candid people shots. It’s not the best for landscape use, but that’s where Provia, Astia and Velvia simulations work best. There are also black and white color filter simulations and negative film simulations as well.
Fuji is still the only camera company where I will sometimes prefer a JPEG I’ve made in camera to a processed RAW image, and that’s a nice thing to fall back on. While I still prefer the flexibility and added benefits of shooting RAW, if you are a JPEG shooter, the X-T10, as well as any other Fuji camera, should be on your short list.
Video
As I noted at the beginning of the review, I am not a videographer and don’t feel fully qualified to discuss the ins and outs of video shooting and video quality. However, I did test the video mode, and it’s nice to see Fuji making some strides over the years, though strict videographers will still probably want to look elsewhere for a primary camera. The X-T10 is capable of shooting in 1080p or 720p at 24,30 and 60 fps. It also allows for manual control over shutter speed and aperture that can be changed on the fly: something that the X-T1 could not do upon release (though the same video features of the X-T10 are now added to the X-T1 via firmware update). The new Auto ISO capabilities with exposure compensation also translate to the video side, where it’s very useful. This too can be adjusted on the fly. Continuous autofocus works fairly well, with smoother and slower transitions, but the in-and-out nature of focus confirmation can still be seen from time to time.
Quality of the video itself is merely acceptable. In good light, I find it looks just fine, and rolling shutter is actually quite minimal. However, at higher ISOs, there are quite a lot of artifacts in the final video, and detail and fidelity suffer.
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